The Hope pioneer., 1887-07-29
AT GETTYSBURG.

The meeting of Union and Confeder
ate veterans on the field of Gettysburg
on the Oath anniversary of the battle
was noteworthy one, affording the
strongest possible proof of the kindly
feeling that exists between the men who
first met on that memorable spot in
deadly conflict. The welcome of the
Philadelphia Brigade to the survivors
of Pickett's renowned Division of Lees
army was a warm one. About 400
survivors of Pickett's Division arrived
in the evening of July 2, and were re-
ceived by the Philadelphia Brigade, and
escorted from the depot to the Eagle
Hotel, where a stand-up lunch was
given them, after which all made for
the County Courthouse. There the
first Campfire Of the blue and gray up
on the historic ground of Gettysburg
was held. When all was ready Gen.
Burns assisted the widow of Gen.
Pickett to the stand, and amid tremen-
dous cheers which shook the building,
introduced her and her son to the au-
dience. She was visibly affected, and
with difficulty restrained the tears.
Whenever Gen. Pickett's name was
mentioned the cheering was tremendous.
when Col. Aylett, of Virginia, becom-
ing excited, mentioned the flag of the
Union, the whole audience arose and
shouted itself hoarse.
At 9 o'clock the meeting was called
to order by John W. Frazier, who
presented Comrade w. S. Stockton as
the presideing officer of the meeting.
Mr.. Stockton in turn presented Col.
Charles H. Banes, President of the
Philadelphia Brigade Association, who
said:
COL. BANEs' ADDRESS.
FELLOW-C1TIZENs AND MEMBERS OF
PICKETT's DIVISION OF THE ARMY OF
NORTHERN VIRGINIA: An honorable
and pleasing duty has been assigned to
me by the Philadelphia Brigade, of the
Second Division, Second Corps, Army
4of the Potomac.
This veteran brigade Of The Union
army, composed Of the SD 7lst, 72d
and 106th Pa. upon more than one
occasion during the dark hours of the
Republic, encountered your people in
active warfare, and it fell to our lot to
meet in hostile array and deadly con-
flict in what might be truly called the
crisis Of the battle of Gettysburg,
within the sight Of the masses of both
arms on that memorable afternoon of
July 8, 1868.
The incidents of the conflict crowd
upon us faster than pen can write or
tongue narrate; the ceasing of the
cannonade, the powder-stained artil-
lerymen springing on the caissons to
witness the scene, the emerging of
your gray lines of battle from the
smoky atmosphere that circled around
the wooded range of Missionary Ridge,
the plunging shot and canister that tore
your ranks as you moved forward to the
assault, the occasional and deliberate
halt to straighten your lines, Disrupted
by the bursting shells, and the quickly
renewed onward charge until your
division surged against the position
held by our brigade like a tidal wave
of battle, will never while memory lasts
fade from those who witnessed the
scene. Kemper, Garnett, officers of
the line and men in the ranks, are
struck down, while Armistead, sword
in hand, leads the van of attack and,
with hundreds of men equally brave,
reaches our lines only to die soldiers
death.
We have dwelt for few moments
on the incidents of battle for the reason
that the place and the associations
compel the reference; but to-day, sol
diers of the contending armies. we
meet as citizens of united country.
The old issues are dead and new ones
confront us. We who have fought as the
blue and gray can discuss the past,
if need, in the fight of the present, as
travellers who, after perilous journeys
and conflicts by the way, sit down
on the mountain-top and review the
scenes through which they have passed
and the dangers of the road over which
they have journeyed.
We welcome you to this. historic field
and its memories with true soldierly
greeting. In the performance of this
duty we would fail to honorably acquit
ourselves did we not announce to you
that the spontaneous movement OF the
Philadelphia Brigade in the tender OF
this reception has the cordial and prac-
tical support Of our citizens OF all classes
and pursuits Of life.
CAPT. REEVES RESPONSE.
Upon behalf of Pickett's veterans
Capt. C. P. Reeve, of Richmond, the
commander of Pickett's Division AS
sociation, responded as follows:
FRIENDS AND COMRADES: l desire
for myself and comrades to tender you
orr heartfelt thanks for the kind, cor
dial and hearty welcome extended us
on this, an occasion never to be for
gotten by us, but cherished and re-
membered as bright spot in the
cbeckered pathway of life.
And what shall I say for those, my
comrades, ,endeared by privations shared,
hardships endured and dangers en-